Certified Sites

Program Goal:

The goal of the Certified Sites Program is to enable and promote shovel-ready development sites in the state of Wisconsin.

This program primarily supports the following WEDC Strategic Pillar and Focus Area:

Business Development: Business and Investment Attraction

Program Description:

WEDC has created, in partnership with a site selector consultant and community partners, a program that provides consistent standards for industrial site certification in Wisconsin. Certification means that the key approvals, documentations and assessments most commonly required for industrial uses will already be in place to assist with an expedited development timeline.

Eligibility Requirements:

Wisconsin communities, organizations or individuals with a site that has a minimum of 20 contiguous, developable acres.

Incentives and Available Funding (FY 19): $126,000 (non-aids)

Certified Sites is primarily a technical assistance program. Aid is provided through discounted costs to the communities, as well as provision of technical assistance in the form ofsite review and analysis, outreach and training, strategy development, site search assistance and marketing through the InWisconsin website and “Locate In Wisconsin” tool.

Activities and Expected Outcomes:

Assist in three new Certified In Wisconsin sites and promote existing 18 sites.

Performance Reporting:

Program performance is measured by a count of the number of sites that are certified through the program in a given year of the program. Site search assistance provided to existing sites will also be documented.

Application and Awards Process:

Municipalities, economic development agencies, and private land owners/developers can be site representatives and apply to the program during the established program application period. Site representatives must send an email to the project lead requesting an application. The email must contain the representative’s contact information and the community where the site is located and/or the site name. The project lead will respond with information on how to apply. Once an application is received, it goes through the following steps. More information on each step can be provided by the program manager.

Desktop Review

Field Visit

Gap Mitigation

Announcement and Marketing

For more information on application review, internal process and award distribution, please refer to WEDC’s award administration policies and procedures.

Learn about the Gold Shovel Ready Sites Program, which provides a similar service at a lower cost, and may apply to sites that do not meet the rigorous standards for a Certified Site but are still desirable locations for business development.